Ready to race at Knox

For the 62nd year, Knox Mountain will be overrun with race cars over the May long weekend.

The annual Knox Mountain Hill Climb has a long, rich history in Kelowna, dating back to the first race in 1956.

The race will see about 60 racers in a variety of different cars speed up the downtown Kelowna park, looking to snag the best time.

“It's a very interesting, very scary hill to race, very challenging,” said Matt Scaife, the event's announcer, who used to race in the event.

While similar hill climb races are held around the Pacific Northwest in the United States, Scaife says Kelowna's race is unique to Canada.

The track's record is held by John Hafner, who made it from the bottom to the top in just one minute and 37 seconds, holding an average speed of 132 km/h.

Attendees at this year's race weekend will be treated to a concert on the race grounds Saturday night, followed by the trophy presentation Sunday night.

Organizers are still looking for volunteers to help put on the race, on May 18 and 19.

“It's a long day ... but it's a lot of fun and it's the closest you can ever get to racing without actually racing the cars themselves,” Scaife said.

“This is a gearhead event, for me it started back in the eighties – 1984 was my first year coming here and I've been here every year since”

Those interested in volunteering can get in contact with organizers through the website.